Falkirk finally claimed their first Bank of Scotland Premier League home win of the season, after a first half strike from Jack Ross gave the Bairns all three points against Dundee United.

John Hughes' side had not previously won at home on league business in the Falkirk stadium since they clinched last season's First Division title against Ross County more than a year ago.

The defeat means United's poor form on the road continues, with Craig Brewster's side now having failed to win in their last 11 away games.

United skipper Derek McInnes was dropped to the bench in a visitors line-up which included four changes from the side which lost 4-1 at home to Rangers last week.

Grant Brebner replaced McInnes in midfield, with Alan Archibald and Stuart Duff also brought in.

Goalkeeper Craig Samson took over from Derek Stillie for United, with the former Aberdeen man having broken a finger.

Falkirk included Steven Thomson in the starting line-up, with the midfielder having recovered from a foot knock.

Prior to kick-off the Falkirk FC gate from the club's former Brockville home was unveiled at the entrance of the new stadium's tunnel by former boss Alex Totten, now part of the club's financial team.

Samson was called into action inside a minute. Alan Gow's cross from the left was touched on by Daniel McBreen into the path of Patrick Cregg but the midfielder's effort was straight at the goalkeeper.

The visitors wasted a glaring opportunity to net after four minutes when Collin Samuel robbed defender Tiago Rodrigues inside the Falkirk box, but the ex-Bairn's right foot effort was saved brilliantly by home keeper Mark Howard.

The loose ball was then collected by David Fernandez and laid into the path of Grant Brebner - but the midfielder fired wide from the edge of the box.

United were creating all the early openings and Howard again had to save spectacularly from Brebner in 13 minutes after Samuel crossed from the left.

The resultant Barry Robson corner was met by a glancing header from Fernandez, forcing Cregg to head off the line.

The Bairns then took the lead against the run of play in the 23rd minute. Cregg fed Jack Ross on the edge of the United box and the midfielder netted with a low right-footed shot.

United were stung and threatened an equaliser five minutes later with a low Samuel effort from the edge of the box, which Howard did well to hold.

The visitors were almost gifted a leveller in 34 minutes when Jean-Francois Lescinel played a shocking square ball into the path of Samuel, but as the striker raced in on goal, Karl Dodd got back to clear.

The Bairns should have extended their lead 10 minutes from the break when Alan Gow was sent clear. Samson had come well off his line, but the striker's left-foot lob was too low, allowing the keeper to parry the ball over.

United came close in the 52nd minute when Brebner played in Robson on the left side of the box, but keeper Howard got down well to hold the winger's dangerous cutback.

The visitors came close again on the hour when Archibald fired a volley narrowly wide from the edge of the box.

But Falkirk had come more into the game after the restart and almost doubled their lead in the 64th minute with a powerful left-footed effort from the edge of the box from Gow which whistled narrowly wide.

The hosts squandered a great chance to level in the 73rd minute when Fernandez could only fire straight at Howard from eight yards out in front of goal.

The resulting United corner was taken by Robson and broke to Duff at the edge of the box. He lashed in a powerful left-footed effort which was cleared off the line by Cregg.

United were turning the screw and only a brilliant fingertip save from Howard kept the hosts level in the 77th minute as he denied Fernandez - and the hosts held on.

Teams

Falkirk Howard, Rodrigues, Dodds, Lescinel, Ross (Lawrie 88),Cregg, Thomson, Craig, Milne, McBreen, Gow (Moutinho 85).

Subs Not Used: Ferguson, Latapy, Twaddle, Lima, O'Donnell.

Goals: Ross 23.

Dundee Utd Samson, McCracken, Kenneth, Archibald, Mulgrew,Duff, Kerr, Brebner, Robson, Samuel, Fernandez (Goodwillie 86).

Subs Not Used: McLean, McInnes, Robertson, Cameron, Gardiner,

Abbot.

Booked: Robson, McCracken, Kerr.

Att: 4,473

Ref: D McDonald (Scotland).